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When you pray be sure and pray from where you are at in life, don't try to be more or less than you really are and for certain; remain humble in the presence of the Lord as much as you are able.
I say as much as you are able because there are times when we need to pray that bold prayer like when Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, or God Himself as some versions say, to know He had responded Jacob walked with a limp! Wrestling with God seems to have a lasting result, one way or another. Humbleness is the best choice!
Also, as Paul below prayed from the horrendous conditions of prisons through his writings that we read, we can read that God responded to Paul's prayers.
I like the example of Paul's Thanksgiving Prayer below, and no its not about the American or Canadian Thanksgiving celebrations! He thanks God, and I believe he has a long lists of thanks but mentions Philemon in this one, about how God has helped him to hear good news of Philemon's mission, or other church type things. He hears how they meet and teach the Word, the grace and peace that Paul prays for is ours today too! Paul asks God to bless the house because they meet there and Philemon is very generous about helping this come to pass. He mentions others that he prays for too! The co-workers are not forgotten. So I am sure he is also praying for them.Let's add this to how we pray today! Lets pray out of our position and posture knowing that we are humbled before our God. Let us not get caught up in our own needs as we pray for others. In Jesus's name it is important to not forget our needs, but it is also important to not be blocked by them.
Later in this chapter Paul asks for Philemon to take on an important task with Onesimus, read the rest of the chapter yourself to see this!
This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 1:1-7
Heavenly Father, thank you for your guidance in the Word today on how to pray for others. We lift up _*____ to you today and with thank you for their good work for the Kingdom. We ask that you continue to keep them humble and help them to reach out to those who need to hear and learn the Gospel Story and the rest of the Word You gave us. Thank you again for those who serve and those who come to know You, in Jesus' name ...
* you fill in the blank!